small talk

noun

Definition of small talknext
as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of small talk Adam has made small talk with Jeanie, who has a cute dog, but that’s about it. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Players were milling around midfield, exchanging jerseys and making small talk when Chubb appeared to say something to Jackson, who was chatting with another Bills player. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Your one-on-one partnerships could feel more vulnerable now, and perhaps the people closest to you are losing patience with the small talk. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026 The perfect way to decompress in between all the fashion show small talk! — Irene Kim, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
  1. chat
  2. talk
  3. chatter
  4. table talk
Noun
  • Cosmetics brands, retailers and AI chat platforms now invite shoppers to scan their faces or upload photos to preview a lipstick shade, a pair of glasses or a new dress.
    — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Once in office, Johnson quickly pulled closer to Trump — so close that Johnson candidly recounts their almost daily phone calls and chats, often offering his impressions in the president’s voice.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of chat
Noun
  • Oil fell on hopes of peace talks to resolve the Middle East conflict.
    — Jeff Marks,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
  • South Africa hoped to use its critical mineral resources as leverage in trade talks.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • The $120 whole chicken sparked plenty of online chatter, though the $65 half-chicken is substantial enough for a party of four.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There has been chatter about teams tanking to avoid being elevated to the Open Division.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • There’s table talk about whether Trump’s low approval ratings can hurt his party as much as Obama hurt his party’s in 2010.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • When the table talk turns political, Hagains suggests shifting your approach instead of your mood.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025
Definition of table talk

Browse Nearby Words

smallswords
small talk
small-time
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20talk. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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